Morkie Puppy’s First Days Home
At last! You’ve made all the preparations, and it’s finally time to bring your new Morkie puppy home. You were able to find a Vet; do puppy proofing and check out the best food.
Now, give him the best welcome possible. With love, patience, and gentle guidance, your Morkie puppy will be part of the family in no time. Start off on the right foot (paw) with these tips.
Day one When you bring your new Morkie puppy home, leash-walk him around outside your home so that he can take in the smells of the turf and relieve himself. Pick a special place and encourage him to potty there. Be patient; it may take 10 or 15 minutes. Always warmly praise him when he relieves himself in an approved spot.
Next, enter the house and show him around the one room where he’ll start off spending most of his time. (No need for him to tour the entire house on the first day.)
Day Two Time for your new Morkie puppy to meet his housemates: other dogs or cats. Introduce the newcomer to one pet at a time.
- Be sure all animals are healthy, have current vaccinations and have been tested and treated for parasites like worms and fleas.
- All pets meeting for the first time should be leashed.
- Make the meeting fun with a walk and some treats as a reward for good behavior.
Take the introductions slowly, and make sure all animals are calm. Give the resident dog or cat lots of extra attention, assuring him that everything’s OK (but don’t let him bully the new Morkie).
If the resident pet is not OK, introduce them later. Watch for warning signs such as fur raised on the back, or a curled lip. If one dog reacts aggressively, don’t punish the aggressor; remove him to a neutral place and ignore him. Try again later in the day.
Time for your puppy to start meeting the rest of the family!
As the first week progresses Introduce your Morkie puppy to other people who come and go in your home – friends, neighbors, family. Show him the rest of your home. Explain to the visitor that your Morkie may want to sniff him before he’s comfortable being patted. Ask your guest to stay calm and quiet when meeting your Morkie (no matter how adorable your pup is!) and to avoid anything exuberant like roughhousing or tug of war.
Read cues from your new dog: how comfortable does she appear? Many dogs love new people, while others feel overwhelmed.
Expect your Morkie to engage in behaviors you’ll need to correct, such as growling or jumping on people. Allowing a small dog to jump on people is a common mistake, so avoid frustration later, by teaching him the off command from the start.
Take it slow. Your new dog, puppy or adult, will make mistakes. Some days you’ll wonder why on earth you decided to get a dog… but be patient, this will pass and soon you’ll have a great little dog who’s a faithful and loving companion.
Getting a puppy? Then you’ve got lots to do – shopping, puppy proofing, getting a dog license, finding a Vet….phew!
Here’s some help:
- a downloadable shopping list for new dog owners – grab it here
- a checklist as you puppy proof your home, get your copy here: Puppy-Proofing your Home – Room by Room Checklist
- And be sure to check out lots of helpful resources here, at MySweetPuppy.net
Puppy Proofing
The Morkie puppy is inquisitive and curious so be sure your home is safe, and keep your puppy healthy and happy!
Step 1: See things from your Morkie’s perspective. To really see what’s getting your Morkie’s attention, take a look from his perspective. Literally!
Get down on the ground and take a visual inventory of what might be interesting to a Morkie. Anything small, shiny or smelly can pose a threat.
Step 2: Secure all cupboards. Don’t let your Morkie find your meds or cleaning supplies.
Step 3: Remove all Toxic Plants. You’ll be amazed at how many house plants can kill a pet!
Step 4: Secure electric cords & block stairs.
Get the printable puppy proofing checklist
Step 5: Remove everyday “chewables” from your Morkie’s reach. All puppies love chewing on shoes and socks, especially Morkie puppies!
It’s not only annoying for you, but it’s potentially dangerous for your Morkie to chew footwear. A swallowed shoelace or piece of leather could get wrapped around his intestines, causing serious injury or death.
Your Puppy's First Few Nights
You can definitely expect your new baby to cry for the first few nights. He’ll be lonely and confused; this is his first time without brothers, sisters, and mom. There’s really nothing you can do but tough it out. A walk before bed can help tire him out. Beware – if you take him into your bed, he won’t ever be leaving! It’s extremely difficult to break that habit, and it’s a lot more crying and drama than the first few nights home. Really!
To crate train or not?
Now’s the time to consider crate training… the idea is that your Morkie puppy sleeps all night in a crate, which will help him get potty trained too since he won’t want to go in his “house.” It goes against all dogs’ basic instincts.
Just before you settle him in for the night in his crate, take him outside, or to his indoor potty spot. Give him the command, “Go potty!” or whatever you’ve decided will be the phrase. Then put him in the crate with some blankets and a toy.
You might want to put an item of your own clothing in too – something you’ve already worn. The crate should be out of drafts. Keep it in your room so that if he cries to go out in the night, you can take him. (Then right back in the crate).
Five Reasons to get a Dog License
one
It’s the law – a local license is mandatory virtually everywhere.
two
Fees from licenses (usually between $10 and $20 for the year) support local shelters.
three
It proves your dog has up-to-date rabies shots (be sure and bring your rabies certificate when you apply for a license).
four
It could help your Morkie get back home if he gets lost.
five
It’s cheaper than the fine you can get for NOT having a license (often $200 to $300).
You can usually get your dog license online; just google your state or province and “dog license.” Don’t forget, you need proof of a rabies shot.
Microchips for dogs: should you microchip your Morkie?
Millions of dogs get lost each year. Tragically, few are reunited with their owners. Many lost dogs end up in shelters, where they are adopted out to new homes or euthanized. That’s why your dog needs identification at all times. Collars and tags are essential, but they can fall off or get damaged. A microchip is a permanent identification. 
How it works
A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is a tiny computer chip housed in a type of glass made to be compatible with living tissue. (see photo at right) A Vet implants the chip between the dog’s shoulder blades with a special syringe. There’s little to no pain – most dogs don’t feel it. Microchips can be detected with a handheld scanner that displays the chip’s unique code. Did you know? All dogs must be microchipped in the U.K. If they’re not, the owner can be fined the equivalent of about $750.
Things you should know about microchips for dogs
- they are designed to last for the life of a dog
- no need to charge or replace a battery
- a microchipped dog can be easily identified by anyone with a special scanner
No single method of identification is perfect. Keep up-to-date ID on your dog at all times, consider microchipping as a backup, and never let your dog roam free. Right: A microchip can be your Morkie’s ticket home if he is ever lost. He gets scanned, the chip is picked up and the national registry is checked. You’re contacted.
Do microchips cause cancer? Scientists say no.
Studies conducted in the 1990s suggesting microchips may cause cancer have recently resurfaced, even though those concerns were unproven.
One story was published recently by the Associated Press. The story gained some momentum and was picked up by the New York Times, ABC News and other major media. But, there is still no evidence connecting microchips and cancer in cats or dogs. A leader in advanced Veterinary Care, Dr. Walt Ingwersen, commented:
“This is extremely rare, although there appears to be a higher incidence in certain families or lines of animals indicating a genetic predisposition. This predisposition does not simply apply to microchips but to ALL products/items that end up in a subcutaneous location, including vaccines, foreign bodies, etc.”
FIND A VET
High-quality Veterinary care sets the foundation for your Morkie’s overall health. Find a Veterinarian you can trust and visit regularly. Keep these tips in mind during your search:
♦ Be honest with the Veterinary staff — tell them why you are searching for a Vet, and specifically what you are looking for.
♦ Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
♦ Work with your Veterinarian — ask about routine care and questions about diseases or procedures that you are unsure about.
At the same time, think carefully about vaccinating your Morkie, and make an educated decision about which vaccinations will be given, how often.
Don’t wait until you really need a Vet
Arrange to meet the Vet on your own
Make an appointment for your Morkie
Find a Vet: Questions for the Vet
♦ How many doctors are in this practice?
♦ What services does your practice offer?
♦ Is the clinic equipped to handle x-rays, blood work, and other diagnostics? (to potentially save you time, hassle and money).
♦ Do your Vets see their own emergencies or will I be directed to an emergency clinic?
♦ In an emergency overnight situation, will someone be at the clinic non-stop?
♦ Does the doctor refer difficult cases to colleagues who may have more experience in that area?
♦ What is your payment policy? Credit cards and checks? Do you offer any payment plans?
♦ Ask if the office accepts insurance plans directly (if you have one).
♦ Do they offer discounts for multiple pets from the same household? For senior owners?